Sheet metal forming machine

ABSTRACT

A metal structural panel being suitable, for use in point of display assemblies or other cladding in retail outlets, comprised of a length of metal sheet deformed uniformly and repetitively across the width of the sheet. The panel is manufactured in a machine of two main parts, top and bottom tooling. Firstly the top tooling is moved down onto the sheet metal, pushing it into a gap in the bottom tooling forming a channel in the sheet, at this point two opposed elements in the bottom tooling are forced towards each other forming an overcast channel in the sheet all of these movements are performed and controlled hydraulically and bear no likeness to previous all mechanical tools, also no likeness is given to the finished panel other than its similar use.

[0001] The following mechanism will deform a level sheet of metal into a predetermined shape repetitively, making the sheet of steel into a strong panel to be used for display purposes.

[0002] From the accompanying drawing number 1, it can be seen that the machine has a top and bottom portion, and in between the top and bottom is the sheet metal to be formed, this is done by bringing down the top of the tool essentially components 12 (these are pivoted formers, pivoted to enable there own removal from the finished form impressed into the sheet metal) until the pivoted formers 12 grip down on the sheet metal and force it down firmly onto component 14 (anvil bar). Having done this sheet metal shall now display a channel in between components 4 a and 4 b, at this point with the top tool still in the down position, a pair of hydraulic cylinders shall be made to move components 2 in a horizontal direction, this in turn acts upon components 3 which in turn redirects the force at right angles which forces forward the components 4 a and 4 b causing the channel to close at the opening but not effecting the bottom of the channel thus forming an overcast slot in the sheet metal.

[0003] Drawing 2 shows the actions of components 12 and components 4 a and 4 b in stages and drawing 3 shows the actions of components 2, 3 and 4 a/4 b.

[0004] “The undersigned, being the inventor of the disclosed invention, requests that the enclosed paper be accepted under the disclosure document program, and be preserved for a period of two years.”

CROSS REFERENCE

[0005] As a cross-reference I have found patent no U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,899 B1.

[0006] 1. The patent above is referring to a mechanical tool FIG. 4 sheet 4 of 20.

[0007] My own machine is hydraulic.

[0008] 2. The above tool shows mechanical rockers (23) for actuating formers (21-22).

[0009] My own machine uses a ramp bar component number (2).

[0010] 3. The above tool has formers (18-19) on two separate pivots (ball type).

[0011] My own machine has two formers (12-12) on one pivot (socket type).

[0012] 4. The above tool requires a beam or break press and additional electronics in order to work.

[0013] My own machine is totally self contained, and requires only electricity.

[0014] 5. The above tool has no material stripper to assist removing the finished form from the top formers.

[0015] My own machine has a bridge stripper to remove the finished form.

[0016] 6. The above tool has no material ejection system to lift out the finished form from the elements no 21-22.

[0017] My own machine has built in pistons (components 15) to eject the finished form from Components (4 a-4 b)

[0018] 7. the above tool uses ‘T’ shaped guides on which elements 21-22 are moved.

[0019] My own machine has solid guide pins fixed into the anvil bar which guide 4 a&4 b. 

1. For identification purposes the ramp bar is shown on drawing number 5 as components number
 2. The object of this hydraulically actuated ramp bar is to produce considerable force at right angles to the applied hydraulic force, and to do so over a considerable length while at the same tine producing accurate parallel movement over the entire length of its use.
 2. For identification purposes these formers shown on drawing number 3 as components number
 12. These formers are unique to this machine because they pivot about the same point allowing ‘in the case of this machine’ the ability to remove them selves from within the closed channel forms which have been formed around them, with the pivoting centres in one place this machine can reproduce ‘dimensionally’ the slats produced in an MDF product called slat wall accessories i.e. display arms, hooks, shelves etc can be used directly on the finished product, so it can replace MDF Double-sided slat wall.
 3. For identification purposes these guide pins are shown on drawing number 2 as components number
 5. These solid through hardened pillars are essential in this machine, being mechanically fixed into position in the anvil bar they serve two purposes firstly they assist in converting the right angle movement from the ramp bar, secondly They guide the sliding formers components 4 a and 4 b.
 4. This machine is unique in that it is a whole machine in like any forming tools for the use of forming sheet metal into display panes (slat wall panels). It is a self-contained machine and only requires an electricity supply to be used, whereas until now all similar mechanisms required a large beam press or break press into which they were fitted. The forming process is entirely ‘oil’ hydraulically powered and controlled, drawing number 6 shows the front aspect (finished form exit) and the view showing the two hydraulic cylinders that actuate the ramp bars ‘components numbered 2’, the front aspect shows two more hydraulic cylinders extreme left and right at the top of the machine, these produce the downward movement normally associated with the beam movement on a break press.
 5. This machine is unique in its field in that it can accommodate variations in thickness' of materials used to be formed, also it is capable of being adjusted to suit variations in types of materials being used for forming. Prior to this machine, many tools used for forming similar shapes in materials were restricted to a material thickness of 1 mm or thinner and this was in mild steel, and 0.6 mm in stainless steel (316). This machine can form up to 1.6 mm in mild steel and 1 mm in 316 stainless steel if required, it also can form aluminium up to 1.6 mm without jamming.
 6. This machine has an ejector system built into the anvil bar, which is shown on a cross-section view on drawing number 1, this is a view from the end of the machine. Along the length of the anvil bar (component number 14 ) are a series of small pistons built into the anvil bar as an integral part of the same, these pistons (component number 15 ) are actuated using the low pressure return flow side of the hydraulic power pack, this low pressure is used to lift the finished sheet metal form, out of the gap produced by components 4 a and 4 b, this is to enable free movement of the sheet metal when feeding in more of it for forming. When the top portion of the machine once again comes down, the pistons shall be returned back down under the pressure of the top portion.
 7. This machine is portable, a similar tool when a complete ‘machine’ as comprising a break press and forming tool to go into it, would normally weigh at 15,000-20,000 pounds. This self contained machine weighs less than 2,000 pounds and can be transported by car on a trailer. 